About

Dr. Steve Mark Gan, founder of Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center or GAOC, the leading dental center in the Philippines and in his over...

Dr. Steve Mark Gan, founder of Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center or GAOC, the leading dental center in the Philippines and in his over 16 years of illustrious dental practice in the country, has constantly raised the bar and blazed trails in the field. But his path to success, his rise to the top, was never an easy one, and is as much a product of hard work, dedication, and unrelenting desire to innovate and learn.

After graduating from the University of the East-College of Dentistry in 1993, and following subsequent residencies in Advanced Prosthodontics and Prosthodontic Osseointegrated Implants at the University of Southern California-School of Dentistry and University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) respectively, Dr. Gan made the conscious decision to return to Philippines, with the noble and selfless desire to not only make a difference in the lives of others, but to bring the local dental practice – in particular dental implant surgery – to world-class standards.

Thus, from his humble clinic in Binondo with its antiquated dental chair that he inherited from his grandfather, Dr. Gan took the big, daring leap by opening a state-of-the-art clinic at the Medical Plaza Makati, then considered the premier address for medical practioners. With that bold move – not a few skeptics considered it a foolhardy endeavor – and by investing in only latest equipment and technologies, Gan Advanced Osseointegration Center or GAOC was born, which today boasts of seven state-of-the art branches, the latest being at the SM Seaside Cebu and at S Maison, Conrad Hotel.

From then on forward – there was simply was no turning back for the inimitable pioneer that is Dr. Gan — GAOC, through its consistent culture of excellence and innovation, earned its place as the dentist to the stars, with a steady stream of celebrities turning to, and placing their trust in, Dr. Gan and his outstanding team for their dental requirements. But Dr. Gan himself, never one to rest on his laurels, would continue to further himself by attending seminars abroad, thereby keeping himself abreast with the latest technologies, trends and best practices in dental medicine. This he has passed on to his ever growing team of dentists who are also made to attend seminars here and abroad on regular basis.

This continuous passion to learn and pass on to others led him to serve as Former Chairman and Member of the Board of Dentistry, Philippine Regulation Commission, from 2010 to 2016; and as Executive Vice President, Philippine Association of Professional Regulatory Board, from 2014 to 2016. He is also a proud a member of both the American Society of Osseointegration and the American College of Oral Implantology, among other prestigious professional organizations.

And with Prosthodontics as his specialty; that is, one that deals with the treatment and rehabilitation of oral function and appearance of patients suffering from deficient teeth or even disfigurement, Dr. Gan plays a crucial role in rebuilding a person’s self-esteem and self-confidence. He sub-specializes as well in oral implantology and maxillofacial surgery, the only sub-specialty recognized by the American Dental Association for treating deformities in the head and neck region.

No doubt, Dr. Steve Mark Gan is nothing if not an innovator and a moving force in the dental practice today. Driven by his goal to put the whole Philippine dental industry on the global map – with dental practitioners who are at par with world standards – Filipinos can now put on a smile, confident in the knowledge that there’s an approachable, affable, and highly-skilled dentist they can turn to for all their oral health needs.

Food and drink pairings has been an established culinary practice since the 1930s when the International Wine and Food Society (IWFS) dem...

Food and drink pairings has been an established culinary practice since the 1930s when the International Wine and Food Society (IWFS) demonstrated to the dining public that wines could heighten the taste of food. The practice has been so popular that even in the Philippines, most people believe that only wine can be paired with meals. Food and wine pairing has paved the way for more innovations in consumer’s dining experiences such as enjoying full bodied spirits through cocktail and food pairings.

Don Papa Rum is now introducing a unique serve inspired by the Aperitivo culture with cocktail and food pairing. Instead of imbibing the usual wine for meals, top food and drink establishments have adopted the Italian concept of aperitivo by pairing rum-based cocktails with delectable dishes.

An aperitivo entails having a pre-dinner drink with snacks to stimulate the palate. The practice of having an aperitivo took off in the 1920s. This novel gastronomic concept is embraced and even modified by some of the most popular establishments worldwide.

Don Papa Rum invited the winners of the Don Papa Cocktail Competition in the Netherlands to demonstrate the basics of food and cocktail pairings. The winning duo, Chef Marcus Shockley and award winning bartender Andrei Talapanescu, prepared a set of cocktail drinks and dishes that displayed the perfect marriage of food and rum-based cocktails.

Unlike straightforward cocktail competitions, the “Chef and Shakers” adapted a Master Chef style mechanics wherein the competitors were briefed on the spot with a mystery box challenge. The contestants were required to create a perfect pairing of food and cocktail. Each pairing extends the flavor of the drink or food to one’s palate while improving the mouth feel, creating a harmonized flavor of the cocktails and dishes.

International chef Marcus Shockley is currently refining his cuisine at The Duchess restaurant in the W Hotel, Amsterdam. He previously worked in some of the best restaurants in the USA and even trained as a bartender at Stonehill Tavern in Dana Point, California. Award winning bartender Andrei Talapanescu is the head bartender at the Pulitzer’s Bar, the flagship bar of the five star Pulitzer Hotel in Amsterdam. This former professional water polo player decided to delve into bartending at the age of 20, working for the House of Bols and Bols Bartending Academy, Little Buddha, Rose's Cantina, Club Abe and Feijoa Cocktail Bar.

These flavor innovators will showcase their winning dish and cocktail pairings at a series of Don Papa events in Manila as part of their winnings with the Don Papa Cocktail Competition. Through Don Papa’s groundbreaking food and cocktail pairings, more rum aficionados will now have a chance to break out of their usual food and drink comfort zone and discover new tastes and spirits.

This is according to the latest figures from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, which provides detailed and timely information on total mobile phone and smartphone markets worldwide.

Data from IDC found that 2016 was a roller-coaster year for the smartphone market, with a total of 1.47 billion units sold—the highest year of shipments on record—yet up only 2.3% from the 1.44 billion units shipped in 2015.

For the final quarter of 2016, smartphone shipments showed a 6.9% year-on-year growth, with 428.5 million units shipped worldwide, as compared to 400.7 million units sold in the fourth quarter of 2015.

As for Vivo, the brand shipped a total of 24.7 million smartphones in the holiday quarter, a notable increase from the 12.1 million units shipped in the fourth quarter of 2015.

And, for the full year, Vivo showed a significant 103% increase in units sold, from 38 million shipments in 2015 to a total of 77.3 million smartphones sold in 2016.

IDC disclosed the continued upward shipments were recorded as Vivo expanded to various Southeast Asian markets.

“Majority of shipments continue to be in China, but Vivo has been extremely aggressive with its marketing in a number of countries in Asia as it looks to extend its global reach,” the global market intelligence firm explained.

Also, the firm noted the shift in preference for many consumers, who are choosing more affordable smartphones over the pricey brands, even as Chinese vendors continue to innovate and produce technologically advanced premium-range units.

“The top three Chinese vendors are persistently applying pressure on Samsung within China, thanks to a vast portfolio of affordable, well-built devices—not just low-end but high-end devices, which have proven viable options for consumers looking to save money and upgrade without sacrificing quality,” said Anthony Scarsella, research manager with IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker.

Also poised to develop one of its biggest markets in the Philippines, Vivo is known globally for its competitive but high-quality premium-range offerings and its first-to-market innovations such as the Vivo X1, one of the slimmest phones in 2012 and the world’s first smartphone to feature a Digital-to-Analog (DAC) converter Hi-Fi chip, and the Vivo X3 in 2013, the first smartphone in the world with a 2K resolution display.

The brand’s flagship phone, the Vivo V5 Plus—the first smartphone to have a 20-megapixel dual front camera—along with other units in the V5 Line, the V5 and the V5 Lite, is predicted to capture the hearts of the selfie-centric phone market, with the Philippines known as a certified hot spot for selfies, and with Filipinos putting a premium on selfie-friendly camera features when purchasing smartphones.

With the brand’s global ambassador, National Basketball Association (NBA) superstar Stephen Curry, the brand is expected to dominate the Philippine selfie-centric market even more.

For inquiries about Vivo, visit the brand’s website at vivoglobal.ph, or check out their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/VivoPhil), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vivophil/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/vivo_phil) accounts. #

Originally released in 1986 as a marathon shoe, the laceless Nike Air Sock Racer was undoubtedly ahead of its time, paving the way for Ni...

Originally released in 1986 as a marathon shoe, the laceless Nike Air Sock Racer was undoubtedly ahead of its time, paving the way for Nike innovations that would impact sport beyond running. Its four-way stretch, elastic mesh upper, with two straps for support, foreshadowed the development of Nike Flyknit, while its free-fitting last led to the creation of Nike Free. Given the typically nylon, suede and rubber found on the era’s footwear, the shoe was totally weird…but in a good way.

Making no concessions to comfort or performance, designer Bruce Kilgore combined a polyurethane foam sole with a full-length Nike air bag midsole. He gave the shoe a bold colorway, black and tour yellow, which, paired with even bolder advertising, gave the shoe added cultural importance. Ads featured lines like “Still Crazy After All These Years,” and consumers received promo black and yellow “Bee Socks” and T-shirts with a Sock Racer evolving into a runner. In 2014, an HTM version of the shoe was released as part of the “Genealogy of Free” pack, cementing it as a precursor to Nike Free technology.

Today’s Nike Air Sock Racer Ultra Flyknit brings the innovations of the original shoe into the present. The upper uses Nike Flyknit for the first time, offering increased breathability, improved fit and an uncanny capacity to take different coloring. The shoe maintains the original buckle closures with slightly thicker straps — one that keeps the wearer from shifting too far forward, and the other for medial and lateral support — and the collar’s lined pattern draws from the Nike Air Sock Racer Ultra Flyknit. The lighter Nike Ultra outsole includes dual-density foam tooling, a sipe pattern referencing the construction of Nike Free and encapsulated, top-loaded air in the heel.

In addition, the NikeLab Air Sock Racer Ultra Flyknit includes a Swoosh on the forefoot with leather straps and a molded heel counter.

Shop with your Citi Credit Card and enjoy exclusive deals with PayLite through our partner merchants – Western Appliances, TechnoMarine, and MyDiamond. Get up to 20% off on selected items at Western Appliances, and 0% Citi PayLite for up to 12 months from March 15 to May 15, 2017. Meanwhile, enjoy a 20% discount on selected timepiece models from TechnoMarine, and 0% Citi PayLite for up to 12 months from April 24 to July 24, 2017.

Lastly, take your pick among select fine jewelry pieces and get 30% off and 0% Citi PayLite for up to 12 months also from April 24 to July 24, 2017 at My Diamond. This generous offer is valid at participating branches. For more information, log on to www.citibank.com.ph or call the 24-hour CitiPhone Hotline at 995 9999.

Beverage giant, Coca-Cola, brings innovation to a whole new level with the introduction of the first water – flavored with real fruit j...

Beverage giant, Coca-Cola, brings innovation to a whole new level with the introduction of the first water – flavored with real fruit juice, in the Philippines – Wilkins Delight!

On April 5, the Company officially introduced the newest addition to the growing water portfolio of the Wilkins Brand. Wilkins Delight is an exciting water brand for young adults and anyone who want more than just water. It is just the right kind of light; made from pure drinking water from your most trusted water brand, Wilkins, and infused with fruit flavors from real fruit.

“Young adults hate boredom. They want their lives to be interesting and colorful.”, said Coca-Cola Philippines Vice President for Marketing Stephan Czypionka. “[They] want to see new places, meet new people and taste new colorful products that are not only healthy and hydrate, but also entertain their taste buds.”

It’s a colorful, fruity twist that hydrates your body naturally, while at the same time excites your palette and teases your vision with fun light colors of amber - for the Apple infused flavor, pink – for that hint sweet taste of Pomelo flavor, and orange – for that fizzy Orange twist. The hydrating burst of flavors in the new Wilkins Delight will surprise Pinoy millenials to break-free from the monotony by adding color to their routinely lives.

“This is why today we create a new generation of water – a unique fusion of all the natural benefits from your no. 1 trusted water brand Wilkins (Pure) and all the joyful goodness and fun extracted from real fruit– great refreshing taste, amazing colors, and an endless option of interesting flavors from fruits!,” added Czypionka.

Media attendees, Coca-Cola partners and some of your favorite millennials in the local scene who graced the event experienced an afternoon of breaking free from their usual ‘everyday’ routines and get to enjoy tons of fun and colorful activities!

That’s not all as more surprises came with the reveal of the official TVC for Wilkins Delight along with the brand’s new powerful set of ambassadors – Kapamilya’s talented star Matteo Guidicelli and the Philippines’ very own Miss International 2016 Kylie Verzosa!

“As someone who's from the beauty pageant industry, I need to take good care of my health and my complexion by drinking safe and pure drinking water. With Wilkins Delight, drinking water gets even more fun as it helps rejuvenate me — keeping my skin healthy. The good thing about Wilkins Delight is that it comes in three exciting fruit flavors. All three variants of Wilkins Delight are delicious, although my personal favorite is the apple flavored one. There’s definitely one for everyone!”, Kylie says.

Matteo also shared how important water is in his every day routine especially with his busy schedule as an artist, and a sports enthusiast —

"As an actor, singer and triathlete, water is always a must for me to help me stay focused, refreshed and energized. Wilkins has always been my no. 1 go to water for hydration. Now, drinking water doesn’t have to be boring because of Wilkins Delight! With the benefits of safe and pure drinking water of Wilkins (Pure) combined with the infused flavor from real fruits, my daily water routine just got more colorful with Wilkins Delight!”, Matteo added.

Wilkins Delight comes in three exciting flavors! Pink Pomelo, Apple and Orange. Each rehydrates the body because of the water, and tickles the tongue because it has real fruit juice. Wilkins Delight is now available in 425ml pack at the suggested retail price (SRP) of P15 in your leading supermarkets, groceries, and convenience stores; and in 250ml pack for an SRP of P10 in your favorite sari-sari stores nationwide. Add flavor to your water. Add color to your life. Enjoy new Wilkins Delight.

With summer well underway, fun seekers are heading to the beach for some sun, sea, and surf, while others opt for cooler climes to find r...

With summer well underway, fun seekers are heading to the beach for some sun, sea, and surf, while others opt for cooler climes to find relief from the sweltering heat. Wherever your itinerary takes you, you will totally want to document every single “instagrammable” moment with perfectly captured selfies.

So ask yourself now: how do you take summer selfies worthy of your friends’ likes and insta-hearts?

• Take your summer selfie game to the next level with the V5 Plus. It’s your go-to smartphone camera for shooting all the stunning vistas, enabling you to capture every single detail clearly—thanks to the V5 Plus’ 20-megapixel dual front camera and advanced selfie technology.

• Be creative and spontaneous. Whether you’re into aqua sports or chilling out with friends at a poolside, be playful, silly, goofy, sexy or alluring when taking those share-worthy selfies.

• Find your “perfect” angle. Hone your selfie skills by practicing at home. Take lots of selfies until you learn what angle suits you best.

• Choose the best backgrounds. Distant hills and mountains, the sparkling sea, lush foliage, and the striking colors of a sunset are some of the most amazing backgrounds for those perfect summer selfies. But even without these elements, the V5 Plus’ ‘bokeh’ effect will beautifully blur a less-than-pretty background while keeping the subjects in focus.

• Use a selfie stick. Take fun groufies of the family or barkada with a selfie stick, a pole-like device with a grip at the end, designed to hold a smartphone when taking selfies. A selfie stick is indispensable at events like summer beach weddings, launch parties, sports activities, etc.

• Look your best. You must play up your best features for the perfect summer selfie. Fortunately, you’ll get a lot of help from Vivo V5 Plus’ face beauty mode 6.0, which enhances your skin tone and makes you look fresh and pretty even without a filter or edit.

• Check your lighting. Taking group selfies while enjoying summer’s night scenes can be a pain—but not with the V5 Plus’ softlight selfie, which allows you to take clear selfies in any lighting condition.

• Have fun! Summer is all about making new friends, fortifying bonds, and creating happy memories. Your summer selfies should chronicle all those wonderful moments for times when things don’t go the way they should and you need something to lift your spirits and put a smile on your face.

So do it the right and easy way—with the Vivo V5 Plus perfect selfie phone.

For inquiries about Vivo V5 Plus visit the Vivo website at www.vivo.com/ph, or check out their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/VivoPhil), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vivophil/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/vivo_phil) accounts. #

L’Oreal Brandstorm in the Philippines goes nationwide for the first time, attracting more than 1,500 students all over the country. Ma...

L’Oreal Brandstorm in the Philippines goes nationwide for the first time, attracting more than 1,500 students all over the country.

Manila, 2017 – True to its belief to invest in young talents, L’Oréal Philippines once again launches Brandstorm – its signature business competition for students that aims to harness the talent and ideas of young marketers to change the game of the beauty industry. This 2017 marks a milestone especially in the Philippines as the competition goes nationwide with over 1,500 students registering for the competition – an increase of 371% versus the previous years.

The student teams for this year’s Brandstorm were challenged to disrupt the men’s grooming industry with the partner brand, L’Oréal Men Expert, the world’s No. 1 Skincare Brand for Men. With the mission to be a project and talent incubator for students, the Brandstorm journey revolves around accepting diversity and cultivating it to be game-changers.

“L’Oréal Brandstorm has been the best venue for us to incubate ideas and young talents. It gives us a fresh perspective to see the beauty industry in a new light,” shared Tina Ampil, L’Oréal Philippines General Manager for Human Resources. “As we move forward to the journey to Paris, we are making sure that we invest in these the potential students who will represent the Philippines in the international competition.”

From 421 university teams, only 48 have moved forward and competed at the semi-finals coming from different regions in the country, vying to land a spot in the National Finals. Students from University of the Philippines Diliman, Ateneo de Manila University, and San Beda College will be representing Manila. Each team was entitled to four pillars of learning to help them develop their ideas into full-fledged campaigns that may just win them a ticket to the International Finals happening in Paris. L’Oréal Philippines also provided the teams with E-Learning courses, Brand resource materials, and a L’Oréal mentor.

Out of the 48 teams, the competition is now down to eight (8) coming from different schools all over the country. The 8 teams are as follows:

These 8 teams will battle it out during the Brandstorm National Finals happening on April 18 at the L’Oréal Académie where one team will be one step closer to representing the Philippines in the International Finals in Paris.

L’Oréal Brandstorm is L'Oréal’s signature global innovation competition for students that started in 1992. Present in over 58 countries, Brandstorm is one of the largest student competitions in the world. Locally, L’Oréal Philippines has mounted the annual business competition since 2009. But more than a talent-spotting tool, Brandstorm is an incubator for innovative projects and young talents—honing them to become one of the best in the marketing field and bringing their ideas to life.

This 2017, L’Oréal Brandstorm embraces diversity by going nationwide. From the usual pool of three schools all centered in Metro Manila, Brandstorm 2017 is now open to three times more schools all over the country totaling to over 17 partner colleges and universities. This makes the competition open to diverse groups of students, regardless of course, degree or level. This year, registration multiplied by 5 bringing the numbers up to 1,523 registered players, making it the biggest Brandstorm to date. Visit www.brandstorm.loreal.com to get to know more about this year’s biggest innovation competition.

About L’Oréal Philippines

L'Oréal, the world leader in cosmetics, is synonymous with beauty, innovation, sustainability and scientific excellence in more than 130 countries. As the number one beauty company in the world, we continue to invest in science and research to guarantee innovative, high-value-added products. To date, L’Oréal has catered to all forms of beauty in the world for over 100 years and has built an unrivalled portfolio of over 38 international, diverse and complementary brands.

L’Oréal Philippines has been present in the country as a wholly owned subsidiary of L’Oréal S.A. since 1994. Based on the unique and diverse beauty needs of every Filipino, L’Oreal Philippines manages 12 of the most technologically advanced brands across several beauty categories and present across all beauty channels, including L’Oréal Paris, Maybelline New York, Garnier, Kiehl’s,, Ralph Lauren, Giorgio Armani, Yves Saint Laurent, Guy Laroche, L’Oréal Professionnel, Kérastase, Matrix, and Pureology.

As one of the big beauty players in the country, L’Oréal Philippines has also made its contributions as a good corporate citizen to the country over its 25 years of presence. It is our priority and commitment to reduce the impact of our activity on the planet and bolster positive socio-economic impact on the lives of people and communities in the Philippines. This has been done through our various philanthropic activities such as “Bigay Daan,” and ““Citizen Day.”

The Glory of Sacrifice - How The Ancient Warriors Proved Their Worth Spartan army were considered to be the greatest warriors of all ti...

The Glory of Sacrifice - How The Ancient Warriors Proved Their Worth

Spartan army were considered to be the greatest warriors of all time. They were the most feared military forces during the 6th – 4th century B.C. Sparta was a military powerhouse and their soldiers’ skills in warfare were unmatchable.

To achieve their prestigious title which is celebrated until today, these warriors had to go through the roughest training one could imagine. During the reign of the Spartan warriors, every boy born was screened by their elders to know if he could be a member of the elite army. These babies were examined physically, any baby considered weak was left to die. Those infants who passed the inspection were raised in tough love, ignored when they cried, raised not to fear the dark, and were bathed in wine instead of water.

As early as seven years old, the young boys were brought to “Agoge”, a military boarding school funded by the government in which they trained until they were 20. In school, they were conditioned for battle and survival. These young boys were brutally trained to be tough and be physically, mentally, and spiritually ready for battle. At a young age, they had to find ways for shelter as they slept outdoors all year round; to hunt or steal food, but when they were caught stealing they were punished by flogging.

The soldier life was the only option for these men to be considered citizens of Sparta, they served the army full-time until they reached 30, and only then were they allowed to marry. Spartan soldiers stayed on active duty until the age of 60.

In the modern times, the Spartan glory is celebrated thru movies, documentaries, and TV shows. Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge is one of the TV shows loyal to the Spartan concept, it showcases the strenuous training the ancient warriors went through. The show is a race designed to test one’s strength, endurance, and willpower, and every move can make or break them. The race proves to be one of the world’s most gruelling obstacle course ever developed.

While the Spartan’s way of training no longer applies in our time, there are qualities which were adapted by those who like to push themselves to the limit. The elite army didn’t earn their title overnight, they worked hard, day and night, rain or shine, and giving up was never an option. The harsh training made the spirit of the soldiers resilient, which is also one of the greatest quality an athlete needs to overcome the Spartan Race. While there was no need to sleep outdoors, or hunt for food, the discipline, hard work, patience, and focus greatly manifest in the heart of these athletes.

Slated to premiere on RTL CBS Extreme on 22 April 2017, 9:35PM (8:35 JKT/BKK), Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge will show how far tedious training, and strong determination can take an individual. A team composed of two men, two women, and one Spartan Elite athlete compete against five other well trained teams, in a one mile loop with obstacles they’ve never seen before, for a chance to win $250,000.

Follow the journey of these strong-willed individuals and see whose team will make it to be the ultimate race warriors. Follow us at www.facebook.com/RTLCBSExtreme and at @rtlcbsextreme on Twitter and Instagram for more updates.

Filipinos are known to treasure life’s milestones and moments, no matter how big or small, through photographs. When purchasing smartphone...

Filipinos are known to treasure life’s milestones and moments, no matter how big or small, through photographs. When purchasing smartphones, they look for one with impressive camera features but are

usually faced with a common problem: phones with high-quality cameras come at a hefty price.

Now comes Vivo, the top five premium global brand, and its Y53, which enables Filipino photo enthusiasts

to capture every detail of precious moments for less.

With a price tag of only Php 6,990, Vivo Y53 is equipped with an 8-megapixel rear camera, capable of capturing clear details. The rear camera features an ultra-HD (high definition mode), a feature that enables users to seize several consecutive images, combine these, and render up to 32-megapixel photos.

As for selfies, the Vivo Y53 has a 5-megapixel front camera, with an f2.2 aperture.

Selfie lovers can now take selfies even at night, or in poor lighting conditions, because of the Y53’s smart screen flash, which automatically switches on in low-light conditions, making your face look brighter and more radiant in selfies.

Vivo Y53 is also impressive in terms of speed and performance, when it comes to smartphones in its price range. This Vivo phone has a 2GB RAM and a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU, good for running games and other applications.

Providing more than enough space for photos, videos, applications and games, Vivo Y53 has a 16GB ROM, expandable up to 256GB.

This Vivo phone also features a premium unibody designed with curved edges and sleek lines—making it stylish and refined but convenient to hold, unlike other smartphones.

For maximum connectivity, the Y53 has three card slots—dual 4G SIM which supports 4G networks, and for the microSD card of up to 256 GB. As a bonus, this Vivo phone is built with an eye protection mode, which filters out the blue light on the screen to prevent eye strain.

For inquiries about Vivo Y53, visit the Vivo website at vivoglobal.ph, or check out their Facebook (www.facebook.com/VivoPhil), Instagram (www.instagram.com/vivophil/) and Twitter

The EON Visa Debit Card is UnionBank's Internet-based deposit account. It allows you to do absolutely all your banking transactions w...

The EON Visa Debit Card is UnionBank's Internet-based deposit account. It allows you to do absolutely all your banking transactions with a click of a mouse. You can even make electronic fund transfers to any bank in the country -- anytime, anywhere!

No branches. No passbooks or checkbooks. No transaction slips. No time wasted. Do your banking transaction in 60 seconds at home, or anywhere in the world where you have Internet access. Clearly the fastest and most convenient way to bank. Oh and did I mention, No minimum balance to maintain.

UnionBank continues to pave its way to digital banking, with EON, discover the technology behind Selfie Banking in the Philippines and how co-creation made it possible. The EON Visa Debit Card is the country's frst electronic fund transfer facility among other banks. All you need to do is specify the bank, the beneficiary or account holder's name and his /her account number and you're all set!

During the event, they asked the participants to go around the booths, upload on social media account to earn some points and these items were up for grabs. How I wish I had that Nintendo Switch and the Zelda game. :)

I was able to test drive the Ford Ranger 3.2L Wildtrak 4x4 AT for a week and I can't even begin to explain how it changed my drivin...

I was able to test drive the Ford Ranger 3.2L Wildtrak 4x4 AT for a week and I can't even begin to explain how it changed my driving experience. First of all, I'm not the right guy to ask if you want to be more technical details on the car, coz I'm not a technical guy. But I just love this car! or should I say truck! I never thought that I'd go for something this big and tough. We headed over to Cuenca, Batangas for a quick get together with friends. The drive was very easy and smooth. I wasn't minding the small humps and potholes on the road unlike the sedan that I'm used to driving. From zero to a hundred, the Ford Ranger speeds up with ease and I can't even feel it. The control over the truck when I go beyond 100 kmh is just superb! It definitely made my trip faster and more convenient.

On the outside, it looks massive! I've had this fascination over pickup trucks, I guess I just liked the idea of it and putting all of my stuff on the back, but I never thought that I'd actually see myself driving one. The wheels are huge and the body is like a sexy beast.

The interiors are also nice. Sitting in the front seat will overwhelm you with all of the aesthetics, button, screens and knobs. But I think, this is the best one so far in the pickup category. The trimmings and rugged yet stylish feel on the inside adds a nice touch on the driving experience. One nice improvement is the LED screen on the driver side where you can see a lot of info and alerts, and on the center console where you can sync multimedia, here you can answer calls, send texts and listen to Spotify.

The center console can also control the mood lights inside the car. It was nice that they were able to add this feature. You can change the temperature and connect to some apps that they have both for Android and iOS devices. Unfortunately, Netflix cannot be connect. Or any video I think. I did try playing a video there which I can't seem to figure it out. Would have loved to watch my favorite Netflix series inside the car. The LED screen did provide a good purposed when I'm on reverse. Having eyes on the back makes parking this big guy easier.

More buttons that can make your life a little easier. Lights control using the round knob. The other thing I liked is they have an outlet there where you can charge using the regular power socket like in walls and stuff. You can charge your laptop or charge more gadgets this way. They actually a 12V car charger socket and two USB port where you can plug in your devices by I think the power outlet for me was faster.

Since this is a Wildtrak, It has its signature hues with orange accents. Seats are comfortable and has that premium top-of-the-line feel. I personally think the back could use a bit more space if you are sitting 4. But sitting two at the back is pretty convenient and spacious. Without the bags and luggage that is.

Check out the bed space at the back! It's huuugggeee! I bet I can store a lot of things at the back. The one I test drove was the 3.2L variant. It had more power, has 6-speed automatic gearbox and a 4x4 drive system. Driving from the city, to the highway to rugged terrain? Easy. This beast has the highest towing capacity, highest cargo bed payload capacity and the biggest cargo bed dimensions-wise. How's that for power?

I guess its no use jumping up and down and try to test the springs on this Wildtrak. I jumped around 4-5 times and I gave up. This one truly is 'Built Ford Tough'.

Overall, The Ford Ranger delivers. This one can compete with others in its category even some crossovers. It performs well in the city and even when driving out of town. Its fuel efficiency is superb and the handling is simply amazing. Oh, they also have this MyKey features where the the car doesn't allow you to drive beyond 130kmh and max out the volume, you know, for safety reasons which I think is awesome. The car will also alert you if you are driving so near to a car of when someone is approaching. I tell you, after driving this one, I wanted to sell our sedan and get this one instead.

If you want more info on its pricing and more specs about the car, visit www.ford.com.ph or check out their Facebook page here.